🇨🇳 China · Permanent Residency
Permanent residency and golden-visa paths: eligibility, required years, investment thresholds, and official checklists.
Quick answer
China's permanent residence ('green card') is hard to obtain and granted mainly to high-level talent, significant investors, and close family of Chinese citizens or permanent residents. The National Immigration Administration handles applications.
China's permanent residence — the Foreigner's Permanent Residence ID Card, sometimes called the "Chinese green card" — is granted by the National Immigration Administration to a limited set of applicants: high-level and in-demand talent, significant investors, certain family-reunion cases, and long-term residents meeting set conditions. Criteria are comparatively strict and approval is selective. The National Immigration Administration is the authority.
- Main routes include high-level or in-demand talent, qualifying investment, family reunion (spouse/children of citizens or PR holders) and long-term stable residence.
- Approval is selective and criteria are comparatively strict; many routes require sponsorship or recognition by relevant authorities.
- The Foreigner's Permanent Residence ID Card removes the need for repeated visa and residence-permit renewals.
- Requirements and pilot relaxations change over time — confirm current rules with the National Immigration Administration.
Official authorities
- National Immigration Administration
National authority for permanent residence, entry-exit and residence permits.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for a China green card?
Mainly senior professionals and high-level talent, substantial investors, and spouses or immediate family of Chinese citizens or permanent residents.
Is it easy to get?
No — China's permanent residence is among the harder to obtain, with strict criteria and limited numbers.
What does it grant?
Indefinite residence and work rights, exemption from visa renewals, and easier access to local services.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- China Government Portal — State Council official portal — policy releases, public services, and government documents
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — China's foreign policy and consular services — passport, visa, and consular protection info
- National Immigration Administration — Visas, permanent residency, and border control for foreigners entering China
- State Taxation Administration — Personal income tax filing, business tax registration, and VAT invoice verification